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Court Disqualifies Timipre Sylva From Contesting Bayelsa Governorship Election

By
The Source
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Timipre Sylva

By Akinwale Kasali

There is crisis in the camps of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Timipre Sylva, the APC Governorship Candidate at the forthcoming Bayelsa Gubernatorial Election.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has disqualified the former Governor from contesting in the polls. It  stressed that Sylva had been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as Governor of the state, meaning that it would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

Justice Donatus Okorowo who delivered the judgment stated that Sylva was not qualified to run in the forthcoming November poll because he would have spent more than eight years in office as governor of the state if he wins and is sworn- in.

While citing the case of Marwa vs Nyako at the Supreme Court, Okorowo maintained that the drafters of the country’s constitution stated that nobody should be voted for as governor more than two times and that the parties to the suit agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times.

According to the Judge, the Supreme Court had also ruled in the case of Marwa vs Nyako that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope.

It held that if Sylva was allowed to contest the next election, it meant a person could contest as many times as the person wanted.

This development has led to series of debate in the political and judiciary cycle, as the judgment is  being interpreted.

Sylva is set to approach the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling of the Federal High Court.

Nigeria’s Maritime Sector Fastest Growing In Africa-NIMASA DG

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, OFR has declared the country’s maritime sector as one of the fastest growing on the African continent.

The NIMASA boss, who stated this on  Monday during the interactive session by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport with Chief Executive Officers of Agencies of Government in the Nation’s maritime sector, noted that the Agency has embraced collaboration and peer review exercises with other MARADs on the African continent and globally.

Jamoh said “We regularly undertake peer review exercises amongst maritime Administrations not just on the African continent, but globally. We have learnt a lot from reviews with the South African Maritime Administration SAMSA, and Maritime Port Authority of Singapore MPA. We have also provided mentorship for maritime administrations on the African continent.

Countries like Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana amongst others have come for mentorship on various issues such as Port and Flag State Administration and the SPOMO Act.”

Speaking earlier, Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun noted that the interactive session is to ensure that the legislature and the implementing organs of government are on the same page to ensure Nigerians enjoy benefits accruable from the blue economy.

“With the determination and commitment of the Federal Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards reviving the economy, I believe that better days are ahead and the current difficulty will surely come to pass.  It is in this regard that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was created with the mandate of coordinating and supervising the activities and operations in the maritime sector. The creation of the Ministry is born out of the enormous opportunities that are in the marine and blue economy and the desire to fully harness them”, the Chairman said.

On his part, the Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Commodore Emmanuel Duja Effedua during his presentation acknowledged the role NIMASA played in transforming the academy to be one of the best globally.

“Today, MAN Oron has the state of the art equipment in training seafarers comparable to the best globally, commitment to funding the academy played a major role in the achievements recorded in the academy,” Effedua said.

The Senate Committee on Marine Transport is on a working visit to Lagos to Parastatals under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.

Gowon In London, Hale and Hearty

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former military head of state, has dismissed the rumour about his  death.

The elder statesman, well respected by Nigerians was said to have died yesterday at 89 years.

But refuting the claim,  the former Army General told Vanguard in an interview on Monday that he’s still alive.

Also reacting to the rumours, the Delta State Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), during the 2023 election, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi who is said to have close ties with the war hero, described the speculations as the handiwork of mischief makers.

Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education, spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Orusi Kenneth, late on Monday.

Gbagi, disclosed that General Gowon, is alive, hale and hearty and currently in London.

Gbagi was quoted as saying, “General Gowon, is still much around with us, hale and hearty. He is not in a hurry to go anywhere.”

He further said; “I, Gbagi, just spoke with him. I hereby refute the rumour of the death of my friend, General Gowon.

“He has communicated to Nigerians that he is still much around, hale and hearty. Gowon is alive.”

Gowon was Nigeria’s Military leader from August 1, 1966  to  July 29 1975.

Impeachment: Ondo Assembly Denies Knowledge On APC Reconciliation Committee, Says Action Continues

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly has dissociated itself from the reconciliatory move by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the ongoing move to impeach the deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

National chairman of the APC, Alhaji Ganduje had constituted a committee to wade into the crisis which led to the impeachment move and reconcile warring factions.

Also last week, Aiyedatiwa, through his lawyer had requested for definite adjournment if the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja to allow the committee carry out its assignment.

However, Counsel to the state assembly, Femi Emodamori, reacting through a statement on Monday in Akure maintained that “the State House of Assembly was not privy to it, since media reports state that the Committee is to reconcile the Ondo State Governor and his Deputy, whereas impeachment is a pure legislative proceedings.

“In any event, I submitted further, Ondo State House of Assembly comprises members from different political parties, and not just APC.”

The statement added “I have read some grossly distorted and tendencious online reports about the proceedings of the Federal High Court, Abuja today 9th October, 2023 in the case instituted by the Ondo State Deputy Governor to stop his impeachment.

“Because of the huge public interest in the case, I feel obliged to correct the distortions.

“The respected learned Counsel for the Plaintiff had urged the Court to adjourn the case sine die (indefinitely) on two grounds.

“His first ground was that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had set up a Reconciliation Committee to look into some of the issues, and that there was need for the Court to also promote reconciliation by adjourning indefinitely.

“His second ground was that the Ondo State House of Assembly (my Client) had written a petition to NJC against the Judge, signifying loss or lack of confidence in his lordship, consequent upon which the Judge ought to adjourn indefinitely to await the determination of NJC.

“The Counsel alleged that the House used derogatory words against the Judge in the Petition.

“In response, I submitted on behalf of my Client, just like all the other respected Counsel for the other Defendants in the case, that we had actually prevailed on our Client to withdraw the Petition, and the Petition had been withdrawn on Friday 6th October, 2023; in which case, it cannot be used as an excuse to seek an indefinite adjournment.

“I fully apologized to the Court for any wrong choice of words in the Petition, which was authored and signed by my Client.

“Again, we submitted that based on Section 188 (1)-(9) of the Constitution, every stage in the impeachment process is time bound, and that adjourning the case indefinitely with an ex parte order in place would amount to an invitation to constitutional anarchy.

“Based on various submissions of Counsel, His lordship agreed that the issue of jurisdiction must first be decided. His lordship refused the application to adjourned sine die, and instead adjourned the case till 16th October for applications challenging the Court’s jurisdiction to be heard and determined.

“Interestingly, it was in the open Court today that the Claimant served my client (the State House of Assembly) the Originating Summons filed as far back as 21st September, 2024 and the ex parte order made by the Court as far back as 26th October, 2023, thereby confirming my repeated public assertions that my Client was never served any of those processes.”

Interior Minister, Tunji Ojo Says Home Delivery Of International Passport To Commence In 2024

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Olubunmi Tunji Ojo

By Akinwale Kasali

Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior, has promised Nigerians that their International Passports will be delivered at their homes, offices and locations of their choice starting from February 2024.

The Minister made this disclosure at the opening ceremony of the International Week of the University Of Lagos, titled, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership”.

Tunji Ojo added that from January next year, Nigerians would be able to complete the application process online.

In his words, “ We have commenced the automation of our end-to-end passport application process, and we have given a timeline from which Nigerians will begin to experience the “sweet experience.”

“By implication, Nigerians will not need to wait longer than two weeks before they get their passport. By January next year, Nigerians will be able to complete this application process online, and by February next year, with collaboration and partnership with other relevant stakeholders, Nigerians will have their passports delivered to their homes, offices, and other locations of their choice.

“This, of course, would be extended to our visa application process. We are deploying technology throughout the entire process to make it as seamless as possible.

“To achieve this, we have set everything into motion to open 12 more visa application centres across the world. In this regard, we are also working on strengthening our visa-on-arrival policy. We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enforce the principle of reciprocity, and a committee has been set up in the ministry to achieve this.”

The Minister lamented that there was a duplication of registration of identity numbers country including the, Bank Verification Number, BVN in the bank, the international passport, the National Identification Number, NIN, and SIM card registration by telecommunication companies.

He however revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given the directive for the harmonisation of the various identity numbers in the country.

He added that the integrity of travel documents would be restored through the harmonisation of data.

“Identity is who we are, what we are, and what we live for. But today, what we have is a duplication of our registration. We have the BVN in the bank, the international passport, the NIN, SIM card registration by telecos, and so on, all of which request your data. The integrity of our travel documents must be restored through the harmonisation of our data.

“We have the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to harmonise the country’s database. When we harmonise our data, there will be an exchange amongst agencies such that when our people need data for passport and visa applications, or BVN, with their NIN, their data can be pulled out. This will not only save us stress, cost, and energy but also help us optimise our processes and the country’s security architecture.”

Ekiti: Councillors Suspend LG Chairman For Assaulting Deputy Governor

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

For assaulting the Deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Mrs Monisade Afuye during last Saturday’s party’s primary to pick candidates for the Local Government Election, a Local Government Chairman has been suspended.

The Legislative arm of Ikere-Ekiti Local Government approved an indefinite suspension of the Council’s Chairman,  Oluwafemi Ayodele over gross misconduct and abuse of office.

In a letter, which was duly signed by nine out of the eleven Councillors, it was alleged that the Chairman verbally attacked the Deputy Governor, and desecrated the institution of office of the Governor of Ekiti state.

Part of the letter reads, “We, the undersigned Councillors have suspended you indefinitely as Local Government Chairman of Ikere Local Government for gross misconduct and abuse of office.

“We have sought the concurrence and superior authority of the House of Assembly to uphold our decision.

“Among the other misconduct and abuse of office was your video that you made to castigate the personality of the State Deputy Governor, Chief(Mrs) Monisade Afuye and desecration of institution of office of the Governor of Ekiti State. You posted a video which went viral and still trending as we write.”

The Councillors stated further that it becomes necessary to suspend the Chairman as a proactive step to prevent those who are poised for war in defence of the Deputy Governor not to take laws into their hands by resulting to self-help.

“We hereby notify you of your indefinite suspension with immediate effect to prevent those who are poised for war in defence of the Deputy Governor not to take laws into their hands by resulting to self-help”

Shock, Disbelief In Owerri North Over Gruesome Murder Of Rtd Bank Manager, Wife

By
The Source
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0
Murder of ex Banker in Owerri North

By Charles Igbo

The serene community of Emeohe Mbaoma Emii, in the Owerri North LGA is gripped in shock and disbelief, over the gruesome recent  murder of two of their own – Mr Anyasodor and his wife.

It was a murder so grisly, so gruesome, so cruel, so terrifying. They were murdered in their home.

While Mr Anyasodor, reportedly, a retired bank Manager,  was murdered in his living room, and his body burnt beyond recognition, his wife was butchered in her bedroom, on her bed.

The Anyasodors were, reportedly, murdered by yet-to-be identified assailants on the night of a wake-keep near their home. They were not present at the wake-keep, or, if they were, both husband and wife had left, and gone to bed when their killers came calling.

What surprised most people  was that whoever persons killed them did so quietly. They were not in a hurry too. There was no noise, no shoutings, no screams, from the Anyasodor home. Otherwise, such could have attracted the attention of those at the wake-keep.

It was either  they met Mr Anyasodor in the living room and killed him, or they dragged him out from the bedroom, killed him in the living room, and burnt his body there. As for the wife, she was slaughtered while she was still lying down on the bed.

Nobody can quite explain why husband and wife were so brutally murdered, or why Mr Anyasodor’s body was burnt. But a speculation, not  confirmed, is rife.

Even though all the children of the Anyasodors are, reportedly  abroad, the speculation is that one of their sons was, allegedly, involved in an unwholesome  business with some people who he cheated out, allegedly, of the proceeds.

To get even with him, the “business partners”, allegedly, went after his parents.

As the bodies of the Anyasodors were being evacuated from their once loving, but now desecrated and violated home, villagers, including relations, watched in disbelief and shock.

Neither the family nor the Police has issued any statement on the double, gruesome, murder.

CBN: eNaira Portends No Risk To Nigeria’s Financial Stability

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has denied a report that the country’s Central Bank Digital Currency, CBDC, otherwise known as the eNaira, is a threat to the nation’s financial stability.

The apex bank in a statement signed by its spokesman, sa AbdulMumin, stated that the peddlers of such reports lack understanding of how successful the CBDC has narrowed the country’s financial inclusion gap.

The CBN said the rebuttal is necessary to set the record straight, even though it does not usually join issues on “news commentary.”

The statement said: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to news items on some media platforms – traditional and social – suggesting that the country’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the eNaira, is a threat to the nation’s financial stability.

“After reviewing the reports, which appear to have been syndicated, there seems to be a lack of understanding of portions of the Foreword, and some articles, in the bank’s recently released Economics of Digital Currencies: A Book of Readings.

“A recurring theme in the book is the interest of regulators, such as the CBN, in the role of cryptocurrencies as speculative investments, and the potential threat they harbour for financial stability.

“ Pursuant to that, the articles in the book provide an in-depth understanding of CBDCs generally and the workings of the eNaira in particular, highlighting issues and challenges in implementation and adoption.

“One of the media reports speaks of “concerns about Nigeria’s central bank digital currency, eNaira, indicating potential risks to financial stability despite its success in narrowing the country’s financial inclusion gap.”

“The nexus implied is unconvincing. In the ordinary course of things, the CBN does not join issues on news commentary; however, we are constrained to clarify the reports to ensure that misunderstandings are not fostered.

“The eNaira structure continues to evolve and undergo modifications targeted at improving the user experience across all interfaces. We encourage Nigerians to embrace the technology for, amongst other things, greater financial inclusion,” the apex bank said.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on October 10, 2021, launched the eNaira saying the digital currency has placed Nigeria on global focus.

President Tinubu Appoints New Members Of Media Team, Among Them, Fela  Durotoye, Presidential Aspirant

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Fela Durotoye

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new members to further boost his media team.

The new appointees, that were unveiled on Monday in Abuja by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale are to serve in the Office of the President under the Media & Publicity Directorate.

The statement added that the appointments are in compliance with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit:

They are Mr. Fela Durotoye, former presidential aspirant, now Senior Special Assistant to the President, National Values & Social Justice;

Fredrick Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Public Engagement and Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Strategic Communications.

Others are Aliyu Audu , Special Assistant to the President, Public Affairs; Francis Adah Abah, Personal Assistant to the President, Special Duties.

President Tinubu has further approved the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President on the ECOWAS Commission.

The President tasks the new appointees who are serving in the Media & Publicity directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with members of the public as they advance the President’s determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society that caters sufficiently to the needs of all, regardless of any differences.

Miyetti Allah Says Wike Drinks “Ogogoro” Before Going To Office

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Miyetti Allah has said that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, drinks “ogogoro” (an alcoholic beverage) before he goes to work.

Miyeti Allah said this in reaction  to the threat by Wike to ban the movement of cows in the Federal Capital.

The National Secretary of the body, Saleh Alhassan Kubah told Wike  that his threat to ban cattle movement in the FCT is inconsequential and added that Wike must find a way for the cows as most of the cattle belong to the elite.

Miyetti Allah’s statement reads: “Where is the grazing land in Abuja? Is it inside the buildings they will graze? The thing is, Wike is not consequential. We have seen Ortom come and go.

“So we don’t want to engage Wike, who has to take ‘Ogogoro’ [Alcoholic drink] before he goes to the office every morning.

“You’ve not heard it before? He said it himself. Let him deliver services in the FCT. We are waiting to see the good work he will do. You know he’s working for our party, so I can’t criticize him.

“He’s our minister. So I don’t want to start fighting our minister. It’s not consequential because there’s no grazing area in Abuja.

“All those cattle you see there belong to the elite there, so he’ll find a way for them. Wike doesn’t merit our responses. Let him deal with the massive abandoned buildings.

“Let him collect tax from all those houses nobody is occupying. Let him develop the city. Let him take care of the indigenous people that have been neglected, the Gwari people.

“He’s from Port Harcourt, an Ikwerre man. He knows how they behave in Port Harcourt. If the Gwari people give him 10 per cent of how Ikwerre people behave in Port Harcourt, he will know how to deal with them. Let him develop the rural areas, and the satellite towns and give them amenities. Power is transient.

”No matter how it is, he will leave very soon. We can’t engage him. He can’t get new information from us. He’s an attention seeker. Is there any grazing land around the Villa?

“Or, is it the sight of cows that people don’t want to see? Are cows not the beauty of the Northern geography? You want to eat cows, but you don’t want to see them; is it not contradictory?

“If there are no cows in the northern geography, what you will be seeing is a crisis caused by the spirits of the land. The land won’t be stable, because the cows need to move for the spirits to be happy. It is their environment.

“He can’t chase the cows away. Who will chase the cows away in the northern territory? Nobody can chase them. We’re going nowhere.

“Let him revoke the lands in the FCT; why is he giving them more time? I thought he would just revoke them at once.

“In the Abuja development plan, there’s no grazing area in the FCT or AMAC area council. Let him handle the issues of insecurity in Abuja. We’re not and will never be his problem.”

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